Uggah (front, second left), Rohani (third left) and others at the flag-off ceremony. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung
KUCHING: About 40 media practitioners from across the country are attending a three-day ‘Kembara Batang Lupar’ programme to learn about the development and progress in the Batang Lupar parliamentary constituency.
Organised by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, members of the media can expect to be informed about the major development and tourism-related features and products in Batang Lupar, a stronghold of the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Flagging off the 10-car convoy yesterday was Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who commended the ministry for undertaking the programme, which he believed would be good for the media fraternity.
“It is a good programme because through it we can expose members of the media nationwide to the types of programmes implemented by the BN government to enhance the standard of living of the rural communities.
“A lot has been done and many programmes have been lined up and implemented with the aim of elevating the people from poverty,” he told a news conference before the flag-off ceremony here yesterday.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development who is also Batang Lupar MP Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim was also present at the press conference.
Uggah said he was made to understand that the three-day event would cover the entire Batang Lupar parliamentary constituency, and that the participants would stay overnight at longhouses and villages.
“They can experience the lifestyle of the people living in villages and longhouses. Their story can be shared with potential tourists,” he added.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said Batang Lupar is an area rich in history while paddy planting the main economic activity.
“I believe this programme will benefit the media, particularly on what the government has done for the rural areas,” stressed Uggah.
Responding to a question, Rohani said the convoy would pass through Batang Sadong Bridge, Asajaya, Sebuyau, Beting Maro, before getting to Lingga, and Sri Aman.
On the return trip on Oct 22, the convoy is expected to travel along the Pan Borneo Highway, passing through Serian before arriving at the city.
“They can write about the achievement of the Pan Borneo Highway project that is being implemented in packages,” added Rohani.
The Batang Lupar parliamentary constituency spans an area of 2,024 sq km, comprising three state seats namely Sebuyau, Lingga and Beting Maro.
Three rivers that cut across the constituency are Batang Lupar, Batang Sadong and Batang Saribas, which also spread over three divisions – Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong.